Risk factors for a Baker's cyst include which of the following?

Risk factors for a Baker's cyst include which of the following?

• A. Recent knee surgery
• B. Rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis and advanced age
• C. Athletic overuse without underlying joint disease
• D. Acute infection of the knee

Answer: (B)

Baker's cysts arise from the buildup of knee joint fluid that tracks into the popliteal space, usually as a consequence of ongoing intra-articular pathology. When the knee has chronic effusion from inflammatory or degenerative arthritis, the excess fluid is more likely to push fluid into the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa, forming a popliteal (Baker) cyst. That makes inflammatory or degenerative arthritis strong risk factors, and age increases the likelihood of osteoarthritis, so the combination of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis with advanced age best explains why a Baker’s cyst develops. Recent knee surgery, athletic overuse without joint disease, or acute infection don’t fit as well because they don’t consistently produce the persistent intra-articular effusion and degenerative changes that drive cyst formation.

Baker's cysts arise from the buildup of knee joint fluid that tracks into the popliteal space, usually as a consequence of ongoing intra-articular pathology. When the knee has chronic effusion from inflammatory or degenerative arthritis, the excess fluid is more likely to push fluid into the gastrocnemius-semimembranosus bursa, forming a popliteal (Baker) cyst. That makes inflammatory or degenerative arthritis strong risk factors, and age increases the likelihood of osteoarthritis, so the combination of rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis with advanced age best explains why a Baker’s cyst develops.

Recent knee surgery, athletic overuse without joint disease, or acute infection don’t fit as well because they don’t consistently produce the persistent intra-articular effusion and degenerative changes that drive cyst formation.